Were you injured while riding as a passenger on a motorcycle in Charlotte, North Carolina? You may be entitled to file a personal injury claim for compensation. In many cases, motorcycle passengers actually have a stronger legal position than the rider because they weren’t operating the vehicle. That said, North Carolina’s strict negligence laws still make it important to handle your claim carefully from the start.
Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you make the most of your claim. Our Charlotte motorcycle passenger injury lawyers bring over 80 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $35 million for our clients since our founding.
Contact our law office today at (704) 980-9999 to schedule a free consultation.
How Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Passenger Accident in Charlotte, NC
Motorcycle accidents can leave passengers with catastrophic injuries and very little clarity about what to do next.
On top of that, insurance companies on both sides may try to shift the blame and minimize what they owe you.
Our Charlotte personal injury lawyers can assist you by:
- Investigating the accident and determining who was at fault
- Collecting police reports, medical records, and other supporting evidence
- Identifying every potentially liable party
- Evaluating the full scope of your damages
- Negotiating with insurance carriers on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement can’t be reached
Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers has helped countless accident victims across Mecklenburg County pursue the compensation they need to move forward. If you hire us, our Charlotte motorcycle accident attorneys will handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on getting better.
We work on a contingency fee basis in these cases, meaning you only pay attorney’s fees if we win compensation for you. Call our legal team in Charlotte, NC, today to arrange a complimentary consultation.
What Are My Legal Options as an Injured Motorcycle Passenger in Charlotte?
As a motorcycle passenger, you were not in control of the vehicle at the time of the crash. That distinction matters because it means you can generally file a claim against whoever caused the accident. Depending on how the wreck happened, you may have claims against one or more of the following:
- The motorcycle operator, if their riding caused the crash
- The driver of another vehicle, if they acted negligently in some way
- The manufacturer of a defective part
- A government entity, in cases involving poor road conditions
In some situations, more than one party shares fault. Our personal injury attorneys will investigate every angle to make sure no responsible party is left out of your claim.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Passenger Injury in Charlotte?
You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages as the victim of a passenger motorcycle accident in North Carolina.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses tied to the accident
Non-economic damages address the personal toll of your injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
In rare cases involving particularly reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available under North Carolina law.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Charlotte Motorcycle Passenger Accident?
North Carolina is one of the few states that follows a contributory negligence standard, which means that if you are found even 1% at fault for the accident, you can be completely barred from recovering any compensation at all.
The good news for passengers is that this defense is much harder to raise against someone who wasn’t operating the vehicle. However, there are still ways the other side may try.
For example, North Carolina requires all motorcycle passengers to wear a DOT-approved helmet per N.C.G.S. § 20-140.4. If you weren’t wearing one and suffered a head injury, the defense could argue your failure to comply contributed to the severity of your injuries.
A qualified motorcycle accident attorney can push back against these arguments and fight to keep your claim intact. Given the significant stakes under North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule, experienced legal representation is strongly recommended.
Contact Our Charlotte Motorcycle Passenger Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you were injured as a passenger in a motorcycle accident in Charlotte, NC, you shouldn’t have to absorb the financial consequences of someone else’s negligence. Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers can help you identify who was responsible and pursue the compensation you need to recover from them.
Our Charlotte motorcycle passenger injury lawyers have already secured more than $35 million for our deserving clients. Reach out to us today to schedule a completely free initial consultation.